King Abdullah II and Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Following the arrival of the King Abdullah of Jordan on a three-day visit to India on Tuesday, the Muslims have welcomed Modi government’s “Look West” policy and said that mutual cooperation between India and the Gulf countries will go a long way.

Jordan announces visa on arrival for Indians

A day ahead of meeting between visiting King Abdullah II and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jordan yesterday announced visa on arrival facility for Indians. The decision announced today is expected to boost tourism and business ties between the two countries.

Business and security cooperation are top on the agenda of the King of Jordan. The formal visa waiver agreement will be signed between King Abdullah II and Prime Minister Narendra Modi today after the bilateral talks.

King Abdullah II is travelling with a business delegation of prominent businessmen from Amman to make the right pitch for his country.

This is the second meeting between PM Modi and King Abdullah in February. Earlier, the two leaders held a brief talk when PM Modi met King Abdullah as part of his West Asia outreach tour.

“I do hope as we have announced the opportunities for your countrymen who are willing to come to Jordan are facilitated but at the same time I have asked your very capable Ambassador that if there are any challenges that Indians have coming to us then please let our embassy know,” he said.

“The Royal Court will personally make sure that the smoothest of welcome is given to Indians,” King Abdullah added while addressing the India-Jordan Business Forum, jointly organized by FICCI, CII and ASSOCHAM in New Delhi.

KING OF JORDAN IN INDIA: THINGS TO KNOW

• India and Jordan are likely to sign a range of agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) today in areas of health, culture, mutual assistance in custom, mass communications and media, and heritage sites of Petra and Agra. They will also sign pact for setting up of centre for excellence in Amman, the capital of Jordan.
• He said that Jordan was keen on creating a conducing environment for attracting investment and business in the country. Jordan has sharpened its focus on fighting terrorism in West Asia, he said. King Abdullah is known as a ‘moderate’ Islamic leader in a region that is riddled with sectarian and religious extremism.
• The King of Jordan called for greater cooperation in combating religious extremism in the world today. “We have many challenges ahead of us. The instability that the world has given us unfortunately with the difficult people we have to deal with, it is more important that people with different backgrounds and different cultures energise each other and come closer together”, he said.
• King Abdullah will today deliver a “special address” focussing on “Islamic Heritage: Promoting Understanding and Moderation” at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi. The event is being organised by the India Islamic Cultural Centre. Sources said that the King “personally chose (the subject for his lecture) as Jordan has studied how India has been able to avoid the threats from ISIS and other groups.”
• King Abdullah II is the 41st generation descendant of Prophet Muhammad and Custodian of the Al-Aqsa mosque, the third holiest site in Islam. The mosque is located in the Old City of Jerusalem. He has also taken global initiatives towards de-radicalisation which were known as “Aqaba meetings” aimed at consolidating the global front against terrorism.

Commenting on the King of Jordan’s visit, Syed Irfan Salim, Chairman of Sarvdaleey Muslim Action Committee said that it was a welcome move by the King of Jordan to visit India to further the discussion over the spread of radical terrorism as Jordan is a country that is already in a tough position, trying to prevent the spread of these terror groups into its borders.

He said that Jordan shares its borders with several troubled countries of the Gulf region, including Syria and Iraq, and without international cooperation over curbing the menace of terrorism, it will be difficult for Jordan to control the terror groups like Al-Queda and ISIS on its own.

He demanded that while he’s here, the King of Jordan should also raise the issue of Israeli oppression of Palestine during his meeting with PM Modi and request India’s mediation in resolving this political and humanitarian crisis in the region permanently.

Salim claimed that taking into view the excellent relations of India with both Palestine and Israel, it will not be a difficult feat for PM Modi to provide a neutral ground to the leaders of both countries to hold peace talks in India.

Hindustani Biradari Vice-Chairman Vishal Sharma said that the King of Jordan has already said in a recent meeting with Islamic scholars in Amman, which is popularly called the Amman Message, that true Islam forbids wanton aggression and terrorism, enjoins freedom of religion, peace, justice, and goodwill to non-Muslims.

It is also a message of good news, friendship and hope to the whole world. He said that if the Amman Message is truly practiced in its letter and spirit, it will put an end to the pernicious spread of violent extremism.